Pritt
Pritt is Henkel's international brand of glue sticks, adhesives, tapes, correction products, and fixing solutions.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Pritt is a consumer and stationery adhesives brand designed and marketed by Henkel. It is best known for the Pritt Stick, widely regarded as the world's first commercially marketed glue stick. The product placed a solid adhesive inside a lipstick-like, twistable casing, creating a cleaner and more convenient alternative to liquid glue for paper and other lightweight craft applications. The concept originated in 1967, when Henkel researcher Dr. Wolfgang Dierichs and his team developed a solid adhesive format inspired by the operating principle and packaging of lipstick. After development work, the Pritt Stick was introduced to the market in 1969. Its compact applicator, controlled dispensing mechanism, and reduced risk of spillage helped distinguish it from traditional liquid adhesives. By 1971, the product was available in 38 countries, giving Pritt an international presence early in its history. Pritt subsequently expanded beyond its original glue-stick format. The brand developed adhesive products for school, office, household, and craft use, including different glue-stick formulations, gel adhesives, tapes, correction products, and fixing solutions. Its product architecture has generally emphasized ease of use, portability, clean application, and suitability for children, students, families, and office users. The brand's best-known visual and functional cue remains the twist-up solid adhesive cartridge. A notable demonstration of the product's perceived reliability came in 2001, when Pritt Stick was successfully tested aboard the International Space Station. The product received the designation "Space Proof Quality" in connection with that test. This event gave the brand an unusual technical and publicity milestone, although Pritt's core business remained everyday stationery and household use. Product development continued in the 2000s. PowerPritt products were introduced in 2003, including the KidsArt correction roller. PowerPritt gel followed in 2004, together with the PowerPritt stick. In 2006, Henkel introduced a Pritt tape range, extending the brand from glue application into broader adhesive and stationery formats. Pritt is therefore primarily a product brand within Henkel's consumer adhesives portfolio rather than an independent company. Its historical significance comes from popularizing the glue stick as a recognizable mass-market product category, while its current proposition covers a broader selection of adhesives, tapes, correction products, and fixing items. The available reference material does not identify a separate Pritt corporate headquarters, independent listing, or standalone executive structure.
History
Pritt's history is rooted in Henkel's development of a solid adhesive applicator during the late 1960s. In 1967, Henkel researcher Dr. Wolfgang Dierichs and his team worked on a glue format inspired by lipstick packaging and its twist-up mechanism. The resulting concept placed adhesive in a solid cartridge that could be raised and lowered through a rotating casing. This format offered a more controlled and portable alternative to liquid glue. The Pritt Stick reached the market in 1969. Its design made glue application simpler and less prone to spills, particularly for paper-based school, office, and craft work. The product quickly became the defining item associated with the Pritt name. By 1971, it was available in 38 countries, demonstrating that Henkel viewed the format as an international consumer product rather than a narrowly local stationery item. Pritt's most unusual historical milestone occurred in 2001, when Pritt Stick was tested on board the International Space Station. The successful test led to the product being awarded Space Proof Quality. Although the test was not a change in the brand's everyday market, it provided a distinctive demonstration of the product's performance in a demanding environment. During the 2000s, Pritt broadened its portfolio. In 2003, the brand introduced PowerPritt products and a KidsArt correction roller. In 2004, it added PowerPritt gel and PowerPritt stick formats. In 2006, Pritt expanded into adhesive tapes. These developments moved the brand beyond a single glue-stick format toward a wider stationery and fixing portfolio. Pritt remains a Henkel brand. Its identity continues to be strongly associated with the twistable glue stick, while its broader range addresses adhesives, tapes, correction products, and other fixing needs. The available reference material does not provide a separate Pritt corporate organization, public listing, financial history, or named executive roster.
- 2006
Tape category entered
[1]Henkel introduced a Pritt tape range.
- 2004
PowerPritt gel and stick added
[1]The brand added PowerPritt gel and PowerPritt stick products.
- 2003
PowerPritt and KidsArt expansion
[1]PowerPritt products and a KidsArt correction roller were introduced.
- 2001
International Space Station test
[1]Pritt Stick was successfully tested aboard the International Space Station and received the Space Proof Quality designation.
- 1971
International availability established
[1]Pritt Stick was available in 38 countries.
- 1969
Pritt Stick launched
[1]The first Pritt Stick was marketed as a solid adhesive in a twistable applicator.
- 1967
Solid adhesive concept developed
[1]Henkel researcher Dr. Wolfgang Dierichs and his team developed a glue-stick concept using a lipstick-like twistable casing.
Products and positioning
A practical, easy-to-use stationery and household adhesives brand centered on clean application, portable formats, and products suitable for school, office, craft, and everyday fixing tasks.
Glue stick · 1969
Pritt Stick
Pritt Stick is the brand's signature solid adhesive. It uses a twistable casing, modeled on the functional idea of a lipstick container, to expose and retract the adhesive cartridge. The format is intended to make application portable, controlled, and comparatively clean for paper, school, office, and craft tasks. Launched in 1969, it established Pritt as a pioneer of the commercially marketed glue-stick category.
Glue stick · 2004
PowerPritt stick
PowerPritt stick is a later adhesive-stick format in the Pritt portfolio. It extended the original solid-adhesive concept under the PowerPritt name and formed part of the brand's 2000s product expansion.
Gel adhesive · 2004
PowerPritt gel
PowerPritt gel is a gel-based adhesive introduced as part of the brand's move beyond its traditional solid glue-stick format. It broadened the available application formats while remaining within Pritt's stationery and everyday adhesive positioning.
Correction product · 2003
KidsArt correction roller
The KidsArt correction roller was introduced as a Pritt correction product for children and school-related use. It represents the brand's expansion from bonding materials into adjacent stationery tools.
Adhesive tape · 2006
Pritt tape range
The Pritt tape range, introduced in 2006, extended the brand into adhesive tape products. It complemented the glue-stick and gel formats by offering a different method for everyday attaching, mounting, and stationery tasks.
Brand decisions
2006
Entry into adhesive tapesProduct launchBackground
The brand had expanded from its original glue-stick format into multiple adhesive and stationery applications.
Action taken
Henkel introduced a Pritt tape range.
Aftermath
The range gave Pritt a presence in another everyday adhesive format.
2003
Expansion into correction productsProduct launchBackground
Pritt sought to broaden its stationery portfolio beyond conventional glue-stick products.
Action taken
The brand introduced PowerPritt products and the KidsArt correction roller.
Aftermath
Pritt extended its presence into adjacent school and stationery categories.
1969
Launch of the Pritt StickProduct launchBackground
Henkel had developed a solid adhesive in a twistable casing inspired by lipstick packaging and sought to commercialize the format.
Action taken
The company brought the Pritt Stick to market as a portable solid adhesive.
Aftermath
The product became the defining offering of the Pritt brand and helped establish the glue stick as a recognizable product category.
Recent events
- 2006
Pritt tape range introduced[1]
Product launch
Pritt entered a broader tape category with the introduction of its tape range.
- 2004
PowerPritt gel and stick launched[1]
Product launch
The PowerPritt portfolio was extended with gel and stick adhesive formats.
- 2003
PowerPritt and KidsArt correction products introduced[1]
Product launch
Henkel expanded the Pritt range with PowerPritt products and a KidsArt correction roller.
- 2001
Pritt Stick tested aboard the International Space Station[1]
Other
Pritt Stick was successfully tested aboard the International Space Station and associated with the Space Proof Quality designation.
- 1971
Pritt Stick expands to 38 countries[1]
Other
The Pritt Stick had reached 38 countries, marking the brand's early international expansion.
- 1969
Pritt Stick introduced to the market[1]
Product launch
Henkel launched the Pritt Stick, a solid adhesive in a lipstick-style twistable casing and the product for which the Pritt brand became best known.
Sources1 sources
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